This title victory not only gave Wade Barrett his first title reign in the WWE, but it also increased The Corre's ever-growing power over the blue brand.

On most occasions, winning your first Intercontinental Championship would be considered the sign of a push. For Barrett, however, it is the sign of a failed one.

Roughly one year ago, Wade Barrett made his debut on the first season of WWE NXT. From the moment he arrived, you could already tell that he had the potential for greatness in the company.

Towering above the other rookies, Barrett seemed to come across as a "complete package."

With a deep British accent that commanded attention, a villainous appearance, and decent ring work as well, Barrett stood out among his counterparts as someone who could easily become the next big WWE Superstar.

It wasn't just the WWE Universe that thought this, but WWE management as well. Paired with former world champion Chris Jericho, Wade Barrett ended up winning season one.

And then came The Nexus.

Led by Barrett himself, this group of former season one rookies made their presence felt on the June 7, 2010 edition of Monday Night Raw, by attacking John Cena.

These attacks continued for months; not only making the stable a force to be feared and reckoned with, but also establishing Barrett as a top heel on Monday night.

Nexus would eventually be defeated as a group at SummerSlam, but the focus would soon turn into a feud between Cena and Barrett himself.

In a one-on-one match at Hell In a Cell, Cena lost to Barrett and became his personal slave in the process. It was at this point that Wade Barrett solidified himself as the (then) top heel of Monday Night Raw. With Cena at his disposal, he began to look for a new conquest—the WWE Championship.

However, for reasons unknown, Barrett failed to win the WWE Championship at both Bragging Rights and Survivor Series.

The aftermath? The Miz became the WWE Champion the following night. Cena, now a free man, obliterated Barrett one month later at TLC.

What had looked so promising in October, was destroyed by December. Wade Barrett wasn't going to win the WWE Championship, or become a main-eventer, any time soon.

Do you think Wade Barrett's push failed?

Yes. His star has fallen since last year.No, this is a slow build towards a world title.It's all a part of a much bigger picture.Submit Votevote to see results

Do you think Wade Barrett's push failed?

Yes. His star has fallen since last year.

25.4%

No, this is a slow build towards a world title.

46.5%

It's all a part of a much bigger picture.

28.2%

Total votes: 1,222

So here we are a few months later.

Wade Barrett is still running around with Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater, and he still can't win a match by himself.

So what's the difference between what he was doing in 2010 in comparison to now?

In 2010, he was the dominant leader of a large stable everyone hated, known as The Nexus. His group feuded with main-eventers on Monday Night Raw, and he was constantly getting world title shots.

In 2011, he is the de-facto leader of a small group nobody cares about, known as The Corre. His group feuds with mid-carders on Friday Night SmackDown, and he was just given a secondary title.

It's amazing how four months ago, Wade Barrett was being proclaimed as the next big main-event heel. Now his spot has been replaced by The Miz and Alberto Del Rio, and he is nothing but a cowardly mid-carder leading the re-hashed leftovers of a now-dead heel stable.

I personally think it is very disappointing, but I also believe it is safe to make it official:

WWE dropped the ball with Wade Barrett, and his main-event push has failed.